undoubtedly conditions of climate, habitations, etc., that favor the development of the disease, if the contagion be present; but this contagion, as I stated before, is most often derived primarily from the dairy cow. Therefore, if a community be closely associated with dairy cattle, tuberculosis prevails. In establishing proof of the position I have taken in this matter, I would like to give you the histories of a great many countries which, before the introduction of the dairy cow, experienced perfect immunity from this disease; but after the introduction of the milch cow into these countries, we have been told by men of undoubted authority, that the disease became prevalent. Owing, however, to my unwillingness to take up too much of your valuable time, I will, at the present, cite you only a few instances, at the same time assuring you of the fact that I could, if it were necessary, cite you a great number of cases to establish proof of the position I have taken in this matter. We will take, for instance, the country called the great Kabylia, in Africa, which is occupied by a semi-civilized race of people who, according to such eminent writers as Hersch, Evans, and other noted French authors, enjoyed an absolute immunity from consumption. According to Morrell, Dumas, and other historians, there is no evidence of the bovine tribe. among them; but these people possess large flocks of sheep and goats, and each family has usually one buffalo ox to do its plowing. As these are a peculiar race of people, with peculiar ideas and habits, not calculated to encourage visits from Europeans, they retain their immunity from consumption to the present day. But not so with their neighbors, the Algerians. When this country was first occupied by the French, half a century ago, the natives were enjoying an absolute immunity from tuberculosis; but after the French imported dairy stock, in 1854, the statistics of the death-rate by Jackson, in his Medical Climatology, shows that consumption was the cause of a large percentage of deaths among the natives. And there are a great many other countries, furnishing reliable statistics of the death-rate from consumption, where the disease is not indigenous, but due to importation through the medium of dairy cattle; such countries, for instance, as Australia, China, Greece, Greenland, Central and Upper Egypt, Iceland, certain parts of Russia, the Hebrides, and others. Without going into further details respecting separate communities, let us consider for a moment the statistics of Europe, and there we find the prevalence of tuberculosis is regulated by the ratio of the bovine to the human race. Thus, in Ireland, where the cattle number 4,570,000, nearly an equal proportion to that of the inhabitants, according to Dr. Wilde, consumption is by far the most fatal affection to which the inhabitants of that country are subject. Denmark, with about the same ratio of cattle to inhabitants, sustains about the same ratio of consumption. In Portugal, where there are about six inhabitants to every one bovine animal, consumption attracts so little attention that few notes can be found relating to the disease in that country. In Italy, the distribution of cattle being one to six inhabitants, the mortality reaches an exceedingly low rate. Also, in Lower Egypt, where the ratio is one animal to about every thirty inhabitants, Pruner tells us that the disease is very rare. Thus the statistics go on, and when exceptions arise the cause is always evident in the conditions that influence the breeds of cattle. Taking into consideration all the foregoing facts, there can be little doubt that the inbred species of the bovine race is the prime etiological factor of consumption in the

human family. They not only nurse the germ, and prevent its extinction, but sow it in the human race continually and abundantly; and when we consider the comparatively few of the human race who are affected, and the immense number who are exposed to the infection and escape it, we are led to believe that without their aid the germ would die; for of all the germs known, none have so hard a struggle for existence in the human family as the tubercle bacillus. Man cannot generate new forms, but he can so control and interfere with nature's processes as to modify the original design. Inbred cattle are selected, sheltered, and pampered, as they would be unable to withstand the vigorous conditions. of the wild state. They propagate earlier, are larger milkers and more efficient beef producers, and their meat is more delicate and tender than that of wild cattle. All of this is achieved by man at the expense of his own health."

INFECTION THROUGH THE CONSUMPTION OF TUBERCULOUS MEAT.

The danger from this source of infection is much less than from the use of tuberculous cow's milk, for the following reasons: Meat is usually consumed in a cooked condition, and thus is subjected, in the process of cooking, to a sufficiently high temperature to kill the disease germ if present, but in rare meat the temperature has not been raised high enough to destroy the germ, and it is therefore dangerous. It must be remembered that in beef cattle the percentage of animals affected is much less than with milch cows. But where the disease is generalized, the germ has been found in the muscle, between the muscles, along the course of the large arteries, veins, and lymphatics. If people will take the pains to examine their beef roasts in these localities, especially those who use cheap meat (cow meats), they will have no need for a microscope to find caseous tubercles.

The sweet-bread of beeves is considered quite a luxury with some. These sweet-breads are nothing more nor less than pectoral lymphatic glands, situated anterior to the chest, and extending along the trachea. This is a common seat of the disease when found generalized, and in cooking this dish we would recommend that it be thoroughly done, or better still, like the writer, exclude this dish from your table.

The liver is also a common seat of the disease, and is often found on our tables. Large tubercles are easily detected in liver, and this dish is usually eaten well cooked, but I would also recommend that the use of

liver be discarded.

A great many direct and positive instances of infection in this way might be related, but I will only record one here, coming under my own observation. Several years ago I was requested to visit a cattle range located on the reclaimed lands for which San Joaquin County is noted. Cattle had been dying from an unknown cause for some time, and later the swine had been dropping off, it was thought with a similar disease. Upon making a post-mortem examination of several of the most emaciated cattle, there was no doubt left in my mind that the disease was tuberculosis, and upon examining some of the dead swine, the same diagnosis was made; the latter had contracted the disease by feeding upon the tuberculous carcasses. Many of the pigs died from large abscesses in the throat, which is a common form of the disease in that animal. When the hogs were removed to another field, away from the dead cattle, deaths soon ceased among them.

INFECTION FROM INHALATION OF DRIED SPUTUM, ETC.

This is considered, I believe, to be the most common source of infection from man to man. If this be a fact, and I do not doubt it, how great must the danger be from animal to man. Just reflect on the hundreds of tuberculous cattle that are constantly in our midst. At least 15 per cent of our dairy cows are affected, and possibly a larger per cent in this city, and say that 8 per cent of all cattle taken to your slaughter-houses, and they are discharging five times as many bacilli, each, as an ordinary phthisical person. Besides the discharges from the mouth and nose, there are the pharyngeal and submaxillary glands, and other external glands that frequently suppurate and discharge externally large quantities of tuberculous pus. When it is estimated that 50 per cent of infection in cattle occurs by inhalation of the bacilli, it would suggest the necessity of extreme care and cleanliness on the part of attendants of cowsheds and yards, lest they themselves contract the disease. The emanations from the ox are transported from place to placeby the dairy-man, by the dairy-wagon, by the winds that sweep through the sheds and yards, and by the cattlemen and the butchers. The freight cars that have transported tuberculous cattle to your slaughter-houses are sidetracked and cleaned of their excrement, and again the wind does its part in distributing the contagion. Thus we might continue, indefinitely, to show the possible and probable sources of infection from cattle to man; but since the fact of the identity of this disease in all animals, always caused by the same bacillus, has been established, and as we show that the avenues for contagion are open on every hand, we are forced to give the bovine family credit for a large per cent of the cases of consumption in our own race. Gentlemen, I thank you for your kind attention.

THE ROLE OF THE VETERINARIAN IN HUMAN
PROPHYLACTIC MEDICINE.

By DR. F. A. NEIF.

A couple of years ago, during a session of this convention, held in this city, I was requested to prepare a paper on a topic relating to the connection existing between human and veterinary medicine. paper I brought forth some forcible arguments in relation to the vital role of the comparative physician in regard to the public health. This field of relationship is so wide that it was an impossibility for me to do full justice to my task at that time, and I now take this opportunity to bring before this convention facts which, a few years ago, were entirely discarded, or, to be more accurate in my statement, forgotten. The University of California, having realized the importance of this branch of medical science, has lately added a veterinary department to its affiliated colleges. This much needed addition will, we hope, bring this medical branch to the standard to which it is justly entitled; and by its influence eradicate that pest which infests all professions, that class of individuals which pollutes a noble object and brings each hard learned science into disrepute among the non-educated public; I allude to the quack.

I have not the time, nor is it my purpose, to discriminate between the two kinds of individuals that may be classified under that heading; but let me say that I do not refer to self-educated men, who, not having had the advantages of a collegiate medical education, were, nevertheless, students, and diligent ones at that. I will only allude to that species which, with unscrupulous means and unbounded, ignorant cheek (the most dangerous element of all), enters into the good graces of the unsuspecting public and brings to bear influences which place them in position to injure and throw disregard on a profession which, on this side of the Rockies, is, as a rule, not appreciated by the laity and a portion of a certain medical public. A comment on this last paragraph is not to be considered in this paper, as I am not reading a dissertation on medical education.

I will now enter into the subject proper, i. e., the role which the veterinarian plays in human prophylaxy. This role is, to the human family, of the utmost importance; and should this fact be realized by the politically appointed authorities, thousands of lives, in our State alone, could be saved yearly. It is not my intention to criticise the knowledge of the persons appointed to examine the different animal foodstuffs sold to and to be consumed by the people of the State of California, for the merest tyro in sanitary science has already realized the fact that under the present system of appointment a knowledge of veterinary pathology, hygiene, sanitary medicine, bacteriology, and kindred scientific branches is far from being necessary to be appointed to the position of public custodian of the lives of our wives and children, let alone of that of the breadwinner. But I contend that it is imperative that the State authorities appoint men having the requisite knowledge of food inspection, as well as of the different diseases communicable from animals to man, and of those which are contagious between animals. It is not my purpose to enter into a minute description of the numerous diseases originating from the domesticated animals, and from which humanity suffers. I will only cursorily mention a few that are most commonly met with in California.

The most dreaded of diseases emanating from animals, which a veterinarian is called upon to attend, is that which originates in the dog; namely, rabies. But fortunately this fatal malady has not, as yet, been found in this State, although reports have been made of a few cases. It was my good fortune to be called upon to hold post-mortem examinations on the bodies of four of these so-called rabid canines, and the results of the autopsies, as well as the experimental inoculations which followed the necroptic observations, were entirely negative. Therefore, we will not dwell on this particular disease.

Tuberculosis, a disease which originates in an animal the veterinary surgeon is called upon to attend-i. e., the cow-is, as you are all aware, the permanent plague of the nineteenth century. Seeing the number of papers that have been prepared on this subject and advertised to be discussed during this convention, I will not, in order to save time, attempt to discuss, but will state that a proper corps of qualified veterinarians should be regularly appointed to inspect the dairies, slaughter-houses, and herds, and to test, by means of Koch's tuberculine, any suspected case or cases which may come under their notice, and upon an affirmative reaction, condemn and destroy the germ-bear

ing animal, thereby preventing the use of the flesh, milk, and other contaminable mediums of infection.

Another disease which is found in the bovine, and which has in many instances created havoc in the human family, is anthrax in its two principal forms. Still another (actinomycosis) is very common in California. I have on different occasions seen herds afflicted with this infectious malady.

Now, what do the owners and the present health inspectors know about these pests? Nothing whatever. And who, may I ask, should be the proper person to inspect herds so afflicted? Again, I will answer, the qualified veterinarian.

Would it not be folly, to be mild in expression, to have a man who knows nothing but the butcher trade, for instance, inspect, on behalf of a Board of Health, a house where smallpox, diphtheria, or cholera reigns, in order to quarantine the exposed or infected human beings inhabiting the premises?

Still, if we study the modes of inspection, other than the principal ones, we will find that in many instances it is carried on in a proper and scientific manner. In order to illustrate this fact, allow me to call your attention to an event which occurred a little less than two years ago, and which was published in the daily papers: A wealthy lady residing in the western portion of this city, had asked a friend who went to Japan, to send her some rare species of lilies. The party readily complied, and soon the lady, who was very anxious to take possession of the botanical gems, was notified that the steamer carrying them had docked. She summoned her carriage, and immediately, on arrival at the dock, was allowed on board, a servant accompanying her to help to carry off the Japanese flowers. But, to the dismay of the lady, a gentleman who introduced himself as an "Inspector of Horticulture," stated to her that the lilies were infested with certain insects, which fact would prevent her taking the flowers off the ship. Therefore, the plant had to be returned to its native land. This instance goes to show, by comparison, the want of judicious legislation.

In the case above mentioned a most commendable action was taken to prevent the infection of a certain species of our flora; but the principal factors of human health and life—that is, animals and their products used as food articles-are abominably neglected, and the people are daily supplied with a portion of their subsistence, which they, knowing the quality of the same, would not feed to a favorite dog.

While attending to several animals located in the northern portion of our city, I have, especially latterly, often passed through the Chinese quarter, and on numerous occasions, for my own satisfaction, visited several Mongolian butcher-shops, and in these found a number of white people buying a dark, slimy, and acid meat called, by the dealer, beef. It is a burning shame to see these fleshy masses hanging in the shops, to be sold to the poorer families.

Besides the condemnable food and the animal diseases communicable to man already alluded to, other maladies of a fatal and loathsome nature emanating from the horse have on numerous occasions been observed in San Francisco and vicinity-I allude to glanders or farcy. The City and County Hospital has several cases on record. In Petaluma there are also records of several deaths occurring from this horrible disease. It is my opinion, based on sound proofs, that a great